TECHNOLOGY PARADIGM FOR E-WASTE MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

摘要

The fast-growing surplus of e-wastes around the globe has become a concern as countries struggle to seek ways to discard obsolete electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). It is estimated that Nigeria generates 1.1M tonne of e-waste annually. 75% of used-EEE are stored due to uncertainty of how to manage such items. These leftovers, containing hazardous components, lie unattended in homes, government institutions, industries, private offices, communication/entertainment businesses, educational and health-care centres, and normally mixed with domestic solid wastes, which are often disposed-off in poorly controlled open dumpsites. This is owing to inadequate planning and appraisal of management functions of such emerging wastes. Nations and regions are now embracing rethinking strategies for managing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and optimizing finite resources. In South Eastern Nigeria, WEEE are treated with no specific characterization in its generation, collection, storage, treatment and final disposal. The overall objectives of this study is to examine the WEEE management strategies in the region, with a view to suggesting appropriate implementable measures; conduct an inventory on the periodic quantity and categories of WEEE generated; determining the factors affecting the trend of WEEE generation and collection, and; examining the strategies in place for the final disposal and management of each category of WEEE. Some of the identified factors influencing WEEE management strategies includes missing public awareness on e-waste toxicity; inability to distinguish between WEEE and near end-of-life EEE; government haziness to applying long-term and sustainable management approaches; absence of regional standardized recyclable facilities; inability to establish and pursue take-back programmes; false declarations of WEEE at point of entry; co-loading of near end-of-life EEE and WEEE with used vehicles, as well as, absence of regional statistics on WEEE. The study identified the specific challenges relating to the management strategies in place, control of used EEE import and relevant guidelines/legislations on WEEE. Reports for e-waste trends were complemented with data from secondary sources to enhance inventory of WEEE as well as the measures hitherto employed as the management strategies. It suggested the need for new technology frontiers in supporting appropriate management strategies of WEEE in the region. Recommended strategies should reflect and encourage efficient planning, collection, storage, treatment and final disposal of WEEE, Extended Producer Responsibility programme, best practised Recycling and Environmental Sound Management options that could be implemented in an e-waste controlled environment, as well as discourage illegal importation of WEEE and counterfeit EEE.